RICO (Better Call Saul)

Last updated
"RICO"
Better Call Saul episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 8
Directed by Colin Bucksey
Written by Gordon Smith
Original air dateMarch 23, 2015 (2015-03-23)
Running time47 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Bingo"		Next →
"Pimento"
Better Call Saul season 1
List of episodes

"RICO" is the eighth episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul , the spinoff series of Breaking Bad . The episode aired on March 23, 2015 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries. It is named after the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Contents

Plot

Opening

In a flashback, Jimmy McGill is working in the mail room at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill when he receives notice that he has passed the state bar exam. He tells Chuck, hoping to be hired as an attorney, but Chuck seems unenthusiastic. Later, Howard Hamlin tells Jimmy the firm will not hire him, but he promises to re-examine his application in six months.

Main story

Jimmy is suspicious when a client mentions that her nursing home, Sandpiper Crossing, controls her pension and Social Security payments while only providing her a monthly allowance. Upon reviewing her invoices, Jimmy's suspicions grow and he begins collecting invoices from other residents. Jimmy and Chuck analyze them and find evidence of Sandpiper systematically overcharging residents, making the company guilty of fraud. Chuck suggests there are grounds for a class action lawsuit and encourages Jimmy to continue investigating.

Jimmy is stopped at Sandpiper Crossing's front desk, preventing him from seeing clients. He hears papers being shredded and goes to a bathroom to hastily write on toilet paper a demand letter for Sandpiper to stop destroying evidence. He hands the letter to a manager as he is escorted out.

That night, Jimmy looks through the retirement home's dumpsters for shredded papers. Chuck and Jimmy sort through the shreds and piece together an incriminating document. Chuck decides to become Jimmy's co-counsel, and Sandpiper's attorneys agree to a meeting.

Mike Ehrmantraut babysits Kaylee. When Stacey returns from work, she asks Mike what to do with the money from her suitcase. [lower-alpha 1] Mike says she should use it to do something good for herself and her daughter. Stacey says that even if she does, she will not have enough to cover living expenses. Mike returns to Dr. Caldera to follow up on Caldera's previous offer of illegal work. [lower-alpha 1]

Sandpiper's attorneys deny the company is defrauding residents, but concede some were overcharged. The company offers $100,000 in compensation, but Jimmy presents evidence that Sandpiper's fraud makes them eligible for a RICO case. Chuck demands Sandpiper pay $20 million to settle, which their attorneys refuse. As Chuck and Jimmy continue to prepare their case, a preoccupied Chuck casually leaves his house to retrieve documents from Jimmy's car, taking none of his usual EHS precautions. Jimmy is speechless as he watches from inside the front door, then softly calls Chuck's name. Chuck is stunned to realize where he is and drops the papers.

Production

This was the second episode written by Gordon Smith and directed by Colin Bucksey.

Reception

Upon airing, the episode received 2.87 million American viewers, and an 18-49 rating of 1.3. [1]

The episode received a generally positive reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, it received a 96% approval rating with an average score of 7.97 out of 10. The site's consensus reads, ""RICO" introduces an intriguing fraud case while providing insightful backstory to Jimmy's unlikely beginnings as a lawyer." [2] Roth Cornet of IGN gave the episode an 8.8 rating, concluding, "With 'RICO', Better Call Saul lays the foundation for the circumstances that will likely transform sweet(ish) Jimmy McGill into the hardened Saul Goodman." [3] The Telegraph rated the episode 4 out of 5 stars. [4]

Notes

  1. 1 2 During "Five-O".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saul Goodman</span> Fictional character in Breaking Bad series

James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill, better known by his business name Saul Goodman, is a fictional character created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould and portrayed by Bob Odenkirk in the television franchise Breaking Bad. He appears as a major character in Breaking Bad (2008–2013) and as the titular protagonist of its spin-off Better Call Saul (2015–2022).

<i>Better Call Saul</i> American crime drama television series (2015–2022)

Better Call Saul is an American legal crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould for AMC. Part of the Breaking Bad franchise, it is a spin-off from Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad (2008–2013), to which it serves primarily as a prequel, with some scenes taking place during and after the events of Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, and ended on August 15, 2022, after six seasons consisting of 63 episodes.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 1 First season of the AMC crime drama television series

The first season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul premiered on February 8, 2015, and concluded on April 6, 2015. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Monday nights in the United States on AMC, excluding the first episode which aired on a Sunday. A spin-off of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both of whom also worked on Breaking Bad.

"Alpine Shepherd Boy" is the fifth episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 2, 2015, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on the streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Bingo" is the seventh episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 16, 2015 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Pimento" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 30, 2015 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Marco" is the tenth and final episode of the first season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. Written and directed by series co-creator Peter Gould, "Marco" aired on AMC in the United States on April 6, 2015. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Five-O" is the sixth episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 9, 2015, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on the streaming service Netflix in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Wexler</span> Fictional character from Better Call Saul

Kimberly Wexler is a fictional character in the television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad. Kim is primarily portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. An intelligent and proficient lawyer, she is the confidant and love interest of Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman, whom she later marries. Kim's characterization and Seehorn's performance have received critical acclaim, earning her two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck McGill</span> Fictional character from Better Call Saul

Charles Lindbergh "Chuck" McGill Jr. is a fictional character who appears in the crime drama television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off prequel of Breaking Bad. He is portrayed by Michael McKean and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.

"Amarillo" is the third episode of the second season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on February 29, 2016 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Mabel" is the third-season premiere of the American television drama series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. Co-written by series creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould and directed by Gilligan, the episode aired on April 10, 2017 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

Chicanery (<i>Better Call Saul</i>) 5th episode of the 3rd season of Better Call Saul

"Chicanery" is the fifth episode of the third season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on May 8, 2017 on AMC in the United States.

"Off Brand" is the sixth episode of the third season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on May 15, 2017 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 2 Second season of the AMC crime drama television series

The second season of the American television series Better Call Saul premiered on February 15, 2016, and concluded on April 18, 2016. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Monday nights in the United States on AMC. A spin-off-prequel of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both of whom also worked on Breaking Bad.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 3 Third season of the AMC crime drama television series

The third season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul premiered on April 10, 2017, and concluded on June 19, 2017. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Monday nights in the United States on AMC. A spin-off of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both of whom also worked on Breaking Bad.

"Fall" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the third season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on June 12, 2017 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Hamlin</span> Fictional character from Better Call Saul

Howard Hamlin is a fictional character who appears in the crime drama television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off prequel of Breaking Bad. He is portrayed by Patrick Fabian and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.

"Piñata" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on September 10, 2018, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

"Sabrosito" is the fourth episode of the third season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on May 1, 2017, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

References

  1. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hop-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ "RICO". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  3. ↑ Cornet, Roth (March 23, 2015). "Better Call Saul: "RICO" Review". IGN . Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  4. ↑ Power, Ed (March 24, 2015). "Better Call Saul: Rico, episode 8, review: 'satisfyingly conventional'". The Telegraph. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.